Automatic block system for railroads



(No Model.)

B. & J. SHOBGRALPT. AUTOMATIG BLOCK SYSTEM FOR RAILROADS.

No. 483,479. Patented Sept. 27, 1Q92.

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PATENT OFF-Ion;

BYRON SHOECRAFT AND JUDSoN' SnoncRAFT, on ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

AUTOMATVIC BLooKsYs'T-EM FOR RAiLRoAos.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 483,479, datedSeptember 27,1892. Application filed March 28, 1892. Serial No. 426,803.(Nomdet) Patented in cicada February 12, 1892, No. 38,268.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, BYRON SHOEORAFT and JUDsoN SHOECRAFT, of the cityof St. Louis and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Automatic Block Systems for Railroads, (for which wehave obtained a patent in Canada, No. 38,268,bearing date of February12, 1892,) of which the following is a full, clear, and ex; actdescription, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming apart hereof.

Our invention relates to improvements in automatic block systems forrailroads; and it consists in the novel arrangement and combination ofparts, as will be more fully hereinafter described, and designated inthe claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is atop plan view of our complete invention,showing the various parts composing the same in their normal position.Fig. 2 is avertical longitudinal section of the device that is adaptedto be elevated by a suitable mechanism for sounding an alarm on alocomotive when the same passes the said device. Fig. 3 is a like viewshowing the same device with the parts in their normal position and in areversed position to that shown in said preceding figure. Fig. 4 is aperspective View of the lever to which the ends of the connecting wiresor ropes are attached and also the support or bearing for the same. Fig.5 is aperspective view of one of the lovers which is struck by thedevices carried by the locomotive and the various parts attached theretofor supporting and operating the same in one direction, and Fig. 6 is aperspective view of the combined bearing-plate and stop for limiting themovement of the Said lever.

The object of our invention is to absolutely The devices are especiallyconstructed to stand the rough usage and jar given them by a locomotiverunning at ahigh rate of speed. Further, our invention is entirelyautomatic, and when the locomotive has produced a signal or sounded analarm at a certain distance the said locomotive will again throw backthe signal to its normal position.

1 It will be readily understood that suitable contrivances should beconstructed and devised and oarriedby the locomotive in order to operatethe herein-described device's effectually, and such is fully shown anddescribed in an application for patent now pending, Serial No. 417,184,filed January 6, 1892.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents a single track, which is laidupon a suitable foundation of cross-ties in a well-known manner, and asuitable number of the said ties constructed somewhat longer, to whichties the movable parts of our invention are attached. In order that theinvention may be thoroughly understood and for the sake of elucidationin the description thereof, it would be well to state that the deviceswhich we employ for carrying out the desired results are duplicated oneither side of the track, and therefore we shall only proceed todescribe one set in detail and afterward their connections with oneanother and the effect and action one bear upon the other. 2 representsa curved lever, the concave edge of which is located adjacent to thetrackrails, and is preferably constructed of thin metal, and may be ofany suitable length, in order to prevent a sudden jar to the severalparts when the locomotive is running at a high rate of speed. One end ofthe said lever is movably attached to a metallic bracket 3, and saidbracket is fixed in any desirable manner to the projecting portion ofone of the cross-ties.

l 4 represents a brace, one end of which is attached to one of thecross-ties and the other end loosely fixed to the pivotal end of thesaid lever, whereby the said lever is prevented from working loose orbecoming dislodged from its bearings. To the under surface of the freeend of the lever is attached an angular plate 5, the lower end of whichis located in a metallic guide 6, which guide is fixed to one of thecross-ties and operates to support and guide the free end of the saidlever.

To one end of the cross-ties is attached one end of a spring 7, and theopposite or free end of the said spring normally bears against the saidplate 5, which causes the said lever 2 to resume the position as shownafter the same has been struck by the mechanism carried by thelocomotive.

8 represents a plate, which is provided with two upward projections 9,and said plate is fixed in any mechanical manner to onerof thecross-ties.

To the under surface of the 1cver2 is secured a bearing 10, and in saidbearing is movably attached or located a roller 11, which rests upon theplate 8, acting as a support for the median portion of said lever, andfurther causing the same to be moved freely when the same is struck oroperated, the said extensions 9 limiting the movement of the said lever,as clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings.

12 represents a right-angular-shaped bearing, which is secured to two ofthe cross-ties by means of suitable bolts, and movably secured to themedian portion thereof is alever 13, having three arms 14, one of whichis bent at right angles and projects a suitable distance upward and isadapted to be struck by the convexed edge of the said lever 2 when thesame is moved. To one of the arms 14, or to that farthest from therails, is attached one end of a metallic rope or wire 15, which leadsover suitable pulleys or like contrivances to a suitable distance and isattached to the arm 16 of the right-angular lever 17, located on thesame side of the track as the devices above referred to. The saidrightangular lever 17 is not provided with a third arm; but the arm 18of said lever is provided with an upwardly-projecting extension 19,which is adapted to be struck or moved by its appropriate lever 2 forcausing the signal or the devices previously elevated to be lowered totheir normal positions to be operated by the next locomotive.

Referring back to the construction of the lever 13, at the top left-handcorner of Fig. 4, 20 represents a rod, one end of which is movablyattached to one of the arms 14 of the said lever, and to the oppositeend of the said rod is attached a wedge-shaped block 21-, Fig. 3,

which block is adapted to be moved in two directions and within asuitable device, hereinafter mentioned and described, for elevating thesignal.

22 represents a metallic box, which is provided with two sides 23, andloosely fixed to the bottom of the same are the extensions 24 of themovable plate 25. The said plate is limited in its movement, in orderthat the same shall be elevated always to a like position, and the freeend thereof is provided with a lip 26, which is adapted to be struck bya suitable device carried by a locomotive for sounding an alarm in thecab of the same.

27 represents a rounded projection, which is fixed to the extensions 24of the said plate 26 and is adapted to be struck by the wedgeshapedblock 21 when the same is moved, causing the said plate to be elevated,as shown in Fig. 2.

Having given a general description of the construction and operation ofthe several movable parts comprising our invention, we will now referagain to the lever 17 and its connection with the remaining mechanism.

28 represents two short ropes, one end of which is attached to the arms18 of the levers 17 and are passed under the rails-and their oppositeends attached to one of the arms 14 of the levers 13, whereby a-movableconnec tion is made between the devices located on the two sides of thetrack. 1

From the foregoing description it will'be seen that when any one of thelevers 2 is operated the others are unaffected; but the remainingmechanism is operated in likemanner by the movement of any one of saidle vers.

The ropes 15 are of any length, depending upon the distance of thelevers 2, and may be provided with turnbuckles or other likecontrivances for taking up all slack therein.

The ropes 15 and 28 may be one rope, as they are practically so arrangedthat both of the said ropes are operated simultaneously. To the top ofthe levers 2 may be attached plates, which will cover the several minorparts located below the same, and thereby act as a covering forprotecting said parts from the weather, dirt, or other accumulation.

Should a locomotive be running in the direction as shown by arrow inFig. 1, the lever 2, located at the upper righthand corner of saiddrawings, would be struck, causing the two plates 25, located on the twosides of the track, to be simultaneously elevated, and as the locomotiveproceeds the lever 2, located on the same side of the track, will bestruck, causing the said plates to fall and assume their normalposition.

The levers on the opposite side of the track are located in a reverseddirection and are arranged to be operated by a locomotive run ning inthe opposite direction and having the same effect upon the plate 25 whenstruck by said locomotive.

Having fully described our invention, what we claim is p v 1. In anautomatic signal device for railroads, the combination, with alaterally-yielding lever, of a casing provided with a hinged section, awedge-shaped slide working in said casing and adapted to elevate saidhinged section, and devices for connecting the lever and slide,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In an automatic signal device for railroads, the combination, withalaterally-yielding lever, of an angle-lever provided with anupwardly-projecting arm adapted to be engaged by said yielding lever, asecond angle lever having one of its members connected with the firstangle-lever and another of its members connected with a signal-operatingdevice, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. An automatic signal device for railroads, consisting of levers 2 andadapted to be operated by the passing locomotive, a roller fixed to theunder surface of the same and adapted to move upon a suitable plateprovided with stops for controlling the movement of said 1evers,'a guidefor the free ends of said 1evers, a spring or other device for causingthe said levers to resume their normal positions, levers, such as 13 and17, also movably attached to one side of the track and adapted to beoperated by said levers 2, a rope or wire, such as 15, for connectingthe said levers l3 and 17, a rod, such as 20, at-

tached to one arm of the said lever 13 and 20 In testimony whereof weaffix our signatures 2 5 in presence of two witnesses.

BYRON SHOECRAFT. JUDSON SHOECRAFT.

Witnesses:

C. F. KELLER, ALFRED A. EIoKs.

